How cold is too cold?

[Big Sky Guy]

I was hoping to have a hot tent from Springbar for the Montana rifle opener Oct. 24 but it looks like they won’t have any in stock. Planning on a 4ish night hunt Friday through Monday night.

How cold is too cold to stay in a 3-season tent (Kelty Salida 2) and a 20 degree bag? Looks like lows will be in the mid 20’s. I was thinking 30 would be about the lowest as my experience sleeping bag ratings are consistently about 10 degrees colder than what I consider comfortable. Will I be warm enough with a couple wool blankets on top of my sleeping bag?

 

[Bambistew]

You'll be cold but survive. I'd look for a cheap down throw/blanket. Make sure you have a good pad, you'll be fine.

The tent ratings are more for snow than the season or warmth.

 

[Werty]

It all depends how you sleep. If you wear longjohn's and pull the bag up over your head and pull the strings, also a good sleep pad. You will probably be ok. Also carry some hand warmers, put them in your sleeping bag.

 

[rustednuts]

Fill a nalgene with hot water at night and put it in a sock, it will stay warm till morning. I’d plan on wearing layers to bed. A sleeping bag liner can extra 10 degrees of warmth as well.

 

[TheNorthStar]

Eat your dinner closer to bed time. Digestion burns a lot of calories and will kick in sometime during the night and help keep you toasty.

 

[Western Traveler1]

As mentioned the pad is important. Take a wool stocking cap too.

 

[runningmt]

One option would be to get yourself a sleeping bag liner, they’ll add some insulation without adding much weight.

 

[MITCHMO]

What others have said here is spot on. It won’t be comfortable but it’s doable. I would just add that you need to make sure you don’t take any chances as far as getting wet. If you do, I would get out of there until my gear and myself were dry.

we are going to be doing the same thing as you BTW. Misery loves company

 

[Irrelevant]

Closed cell foam pad under your regular pad, a blanket over top, and a stocking hat and you'll be fine.

Think about how you'll keep you boots from freezing solid at night

 

[JEL]

Sounds cold to me but I am a wimp when it comes to sleeping. I would have to have a better bag. Also where you camp matters relating to temperature. I do a lot of trail running early morning and am always amazed at the temperature swings I run through.

 

[Nameless Range]

If you aren't actually packing camp in on your back, but are just camping, just bring half a dozen blankets. Seriously. I've slept in the back of my truck under a pile of nothing but blankets in 0-ish temperatures after a night of drinking and ling fishing and the hangover affected me more than the cold.

 

[Deleted member 28227]

I’ve slept in my 15 degree bag with a puffy jacket and pants on down to ~10-15 degrees. Last year on a feb elk hunt I double bagged and put my 15 inside an old 20 degree bag and was fine at -5ish.

 

[AlaskaHunter]

I use 2 sleeping pads when its cold for an R-value of > 10
and I drink hot water or soup just before turning in.
I also wear a down hood from my winter parka which is rated for -30F.

Breathing outside the bag is important as breathing in a bag results in moisture compromising insulation.

Eating a high fat meal instead of a high carb meal also helps.

 

[Irrelevant]

Breathing outside the bag is important as breathing in a bag results in moisture compromising insulation.

Ah great point to remember, I novice friend of mine learned that lesson the hard way on a backpack hunt last year.

 

[Panda Bear]

Looks like lows will be in the mid 20’s.

seriously, Alaskahunter stated it very well. I might add dont drink any alcoholic beverage before bedtime

 

[Happy Myles]

As i matter of habit i always keep a wool watch cap or balaclava In my various sleeping bags. So much body heat is lost from the head, the wool helps keep my body warmer when the weather is cooler than my bag selection anticipated. I even take a wool watch cap to Africa for an unanticipated chilly night.

 

[beginnerhunter]

All those above tips are good and have worked for me. I have that same kelty tent and it is surprisingly warm. I'm cold natured and used a zero degree bag and very good pad, toasty down to 10 deg. With a 20 degree bag and in the absence of a good pad, I'd double bag if ur car camping. The nalgene or hot hands trick works well.

 

[Big Sky Guy]

Thanks for all the responses!

I will add that it will be a river canoe hunting trip, so that is the other aspect if I get wet. But I can always use a fire to get warm and dry and just paddle out if I get too cold.

 

[stealthy_bowman]

Just be ready for it to be a lot colder than what you expect. Last year's opening weekend was wicked cold. Lows in the mid-20's would be a heat wave in comparison.

 

[brymoore]

You’ll die, stay home!

or, just put on a few extra layers or buy a silk sleeping bag liner.

Too cold for me starts around 10 degrees.